Type-Moon: Root Seiko

Alice set up a soundproof barrier around the two of them, creating a space for solitude within the "space shared with outsiders," allowing them to experience this subtle connection with the world.

This has always been Einzbern's way of life.

Alive, but detached from the outside world.

Luo Zhen squeezed her hand: "You didn't betray anyone."

"No, I betrayed them."

Alice stubbornly shook her head: "I destroyed Rheinmetall and completely destroyed the resources on which the family depended for survival."

"After doing this, in order to maintain the continuous cultivation and maintenance of androids, the family must communicate with the outside world and find other ways to obtain resources."

“I wanted to force everyone to find their own way to survive through this method, to ‘live’ in other ways… But in reality, from our management terminal to the final end, everyone’s will is very clear: do everything in our power to complete the Great Grail, and if we can’t, we’ll just shut down the machine together.”

This is indeed extreme, and Luo Zhen understands Irisviel's sorrow.

Their ideas were parallel from the very beginning.

After being educated by Artoria, Irisviel learned for the first time about ways of life other than those of androids.

She felt the goodness inherent in being human, and didn't want the Holy Lance and the Greater Grail to be misused. Based on this, she wanted to liberate her fellow human beings and family.

But her family had not undergone this enlightenment, and fundamentally did not want to be liberated; they didn't even have this concept.

His sole purpose in life was to complete the Greater Grail; if he failed, he would destroy himself.

It is precisely this simple logic that has allowed the Einzbern family to continue for over a thousand years.

This made Alice very sad.

She raised her eyelashes and glanced at Luo Zhen gently.

"Actually, I had a sliver of hope at first. If this Holy Grail War could be completed normally and I could become the victor, I might be able to complete the Third Law of the Winter Saintess."

"In that way, Einzbern will be able to fulfill his long-cherished wish, and the Greater Grail will have completed its mission. I can go back and give my family an explanation, and everyone can truly be free to live their own lives."

"So you didn't want to ally with me in the first place, right? It was all for the sake of winning." Luo Zhen chuckled.

Irisviel looked away somewhat sullenly, nudged Luo Zhen's arm, and remained silent.

Chapter 143 The First Time Was at 10,000 Meters Altitude (4k)

Perhaps because she was inspired by Artoria, Irisviel also has a strong sense of self-reflection and morality.

The Einzbern family's actions have led to a global crisis; they have sacrificed too much in their obsession with the Third Law.

Irisviel felt that she should take full responsibility for this and make amends no matter how much she had to sacrifice.

This idea isn't wrong.

But it's obviously heartbreaking, at least for Luo Zhen.

"I believe that good people should be rewarded."

"?" Alice blinked, somewhat puzzled.

Good deeds are rewarded—this sounds like an idealized form of children's education, or a way to comfort oneself with self-suggestion.

Most religions throughout history, or any large organization or entity, have essentially promoted similar ideas; otherwise, they would not have been able to sustain themselves.

But Irisviel felt that what Luo Zhen said was probably not the kind of psychological comfort he was talking about.

And that's exactly what he said: "Irisviel, you're a good person. Beautiful, capable, and kind, you've never done anything wrong, and you're even thinking about cleaning up the messes your family and ancestors made. You deserve good fortune."

“But I am a creation of Einzbern, so it’s only right that I inherit the family’s legacy and debts, right?” Alice asked.

Luo Zhen replied, "But you are still willing to give up all of this and come up with your own answer as 'Irisviel'."

...Irisviel fell silent for a moment.

She understood Luo Zhen's meaning somewhat, but not quite.

Good people are rewarded... Can I consider myself a good person?

Irisviel lacked the confidence to call herself a good person, or perhaps that standard simply varies from person to person.

Even Joan of Arc was considered an irredeemable villain by some people in the enemy country, and Shakespeare wrote many short stories to slander her.

What merit or ability does Irisviel possess to be called a good person?

...However, Luo Zhen's words were so firm that they penetrated into Alice's heart.

Irisviel slowly raised her head: "Narojin, do you want me to receive a good reward? As a god?"

"Do not."

Luo Zhen hugged Irisviel even tighter: "I want to be a good thing for you."

Irisviel forgot to breathe for a moment.

That's incredibly greedy and arrogant.

If Luo were truly a god who meddled in the world and arranged Irisviel's future fate, then so be it.

But he wanted to be a good thing for Irisviel.

That would mean participating in her destiny, becoming her destiny.

At that moment, Irisviel's body and soul softened.

She felt a dull pain in her chest, buried herself in his arms, and continued to listen to this bad man's sweet talk.

"Alice, I love you. Although I have many girlfriends and lovers besides you, I still want you."

"I don't know what the future holds, so I can't guarantee you'll be rewarded. But I want to create good fortune for you and make you happy. Can you give me that chance?"

"……Why?"

Alice's voice trembled with a hint of tears.

A lady should not let a man see her tears—unless they are used as a weapon.

Wanting to be the lady in the book, Irisviel buried her face in his shoulder, trying to hide it from him.

She asked, "You clearly said you wanted to help me persuade my people before confessing, so why did you do it earlier?... Is it because Artoria said something to you? Do you listen to her more?"

"...Are you jealous?" Luo Zhen asked cautiously.

Then he got another punch from Irisviel, who complained about his jarring question.

Luo Zhen coughed lightly: "It's not that I changed my mind just because of what Artoria said. It's just that I suddenly thought that although it would be natural to confess after persuading your people, there might still be unexpected situations."

"Although I don't think there's any chance of anything happening, I'm always afraid of the worst. If something really happens to the Einzbern family and they still don't recognize my Third Law... then I'll kidnap you. Forget about those dim-witted androids, I'll take you far away."

"...What if I don't want to?"

Alice's voice was muffled, revealing no emotion.

“That’s why I’m confessing now,” Luo Zhen said. “I want to be the most important person in Irisviel’s heart, more important than family. In the end, after doing everything I can, I hope you can completely let go of your resentment and come with me.”

"To achieve this, we need to clarify our relationship first. Of course, even if you don't want to leave, I will pursue you until you agree."

"……Fool."

Why can't this god be a little more willful? Irisviel wondered.

If he were more indifferent and tougher.

Irisviel was able to convince herself to beg for his assistance and swear allegiance to him in exchange for his favor.

Irisviel had no psychological barriers to this. From the moment she obtained the Third Law, Rōzen had been the head of the entire Einzbern family.

Moreover, he gave himself a brand new healthy body, granting himself the right to live.

Let alone treating Irisviel as his possession.

Even if Luo Zhen treats himself like a useful rag, roughly playing with him before throwing him into the trash can.

Irisviel would obediently wash herself clean before returning to serve him.

This is the rightful right he has as the holder of the Third Law and as Irisviel's savior.

But he showed absolutely no intention of advocating for these things.

He is a man.

He sees himself as a woman.

A man is pursuing a woman.

That's all.

He did not add any other factors to their relationship.

This was both infuriating and amusing to Irisviel, who was fond of classical romance literature.

"I swear."

Irisviel's voice trembled with a hint of tears, yet she couldn't help but laugh, making her both cry and laugh at the same time.

She struggled to speak: "I swear. Irisviel belongs to Rozen."

"Whether we are rich or poor, healthy or sick, happy or sad, I will love you deeply and stay by your side. I will never leave you, until death do us part."

"Miss Alice, are you sure it's here?"